Snapshot of the Bay

Historical News

July 3, 2024

Water Column Profiles

Water column profiles were conducted at seven locations in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries on July 3, 2024 using a Seabird Electronics profiler. In the five days leading up to the survey, 1.53 inches of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green. Sites ranged from weakly to moderately stratified this week.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions were not observed to be below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) at any site profiled this week. The highest fluorescence readings for the week were measured around 1 meter below the surface at India Point Park.

November 7, 2024

Surface Mapping

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on November 7, 2024, while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuary. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good in all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 0.53 µg/L to 17.57 µg/L with an average of 2.89 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

Dataflow 2024-11-07-Snapshot.jpg

November 18, 2024

R/V Monitor's Blog

The Data Stream deployed on a chilly but otherwise beautiful November day. The team retrieved the Bullock’s Reach Sondes for the final time in the 2024 season. The buoy is scheduled to be removed from the water for the winter in early December. The picture below was taken while on route. In the distant background, accentuated by a rainbow, you can see the wind turbines from Johnson & Wales University and Narragansett Bay Commission’s Field’s Point Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Boat rainbow 2.jpg

November 7, 2024

Bacteria Sampling

On November 7th, 2024 twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers; five of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. In the five days

prior to sampling, no precipitation was recorded at TF Green.

Overall, bacteria counts in the Seekonk River were lower compared to previous sampling (October 9th, 2024); in the Providence River, bacteria counts were similar compared to the previous sampling event (October 23rd, 2024).

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River sites than in the Providence River sites (geometric means of 51 MPN/100 mL and 11 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (430 MPN/100 mL) was measured at Bishop Point.

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 14 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 31 MPN/100 mL at Point St. Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is November 20th.

The table below lists the Rhode Island bacteria standards for primary contact and shellfishing established by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM). RIDEM defines primary contact as any recreational activities in which there is prolonged and intimate contact with water, involving considerable risk of ingesting water (e.g., swimming, diving, water skiing and surfing). Please note that the RIDEM bacteria standards are provided here for informational purposes only and are not intended to indicate official state compliance with primary contact or shellfishing standards.

Summary of Rhode Island Bacteria Standards for Saltwater Primary Contact and Shellfishing

	Fecal Coliform	Enterococci
Primary Contact¹	Geometric mean ≤50 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >400 MPN/100 mL	Geometric mean ≤35 colonies/100 mL All samples ≤104 colonies/100 mL²
Shellfishing	Geometric mean ≤14 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL³	NO ENTEROCOCCI CRITERIA

¹Fecal coliform primary contact criteria applied only when adequate enterococci data are not available; ²Single sample maximum criterion for determining beach swimming advisories at designated beaches as evaluated by the Rhode Island Department of Health; ³For a three-tube decimal dilution

Table adapted from Rhode Island Water Quality Regulations (250-RICR-150-05-1); see regulations for complete details.

June 17, 2024

Water Column Profiles

Water column profiles were conducted at six locations in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries on June 17, 2024 using a Seabird Electronics profiler. A seventh location was visited but profile results are not available due to equipment issues. In the five days leading up to the survey, 0.06 inches of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green. Water column stratification varied between the sites this week, from well-mixed at Pomham Rocks, to strongly stratified at Phillipsdale Landing and India Point Park.